Death Cafe write-ups
On a drizzly Saturday afternoon about 30 souls gathered at Theo’s Coffee Shop & Cozmic Pizza to talk about death. Separating into groups of 4 or 5 we sat around small round tables with open minds and hearts. Starting with an appetizer of: “Why are you here today, what intrigued you about this forum”, diners were then able to choose from an assortment of entrees including: “why is death feared and not discussed in American society”, “What happens when you die”, and “What role does death play in living?”. After what appeared to be an intense, engaging and enjoyable 2-hour meal of conversation and discussion surrounding death, dying ...
Death Cafe - Fremantle, WA Write up
Posted by Death Cafe - Fremantle on Nov. 10, 2013, 10:18 p.m.
I am continuously surprised by each Death Cafe I have run since March 2013. This latest event was no exception.
The lead up went from many expected to one participant due to be late. But just as I prepared to wait for the one to be late, two people unexpectedly came along and it was the most interesting and lively experience yet!
The conversation flowed from the death of parents to artistic performances on death and dying for a festival!
The cafe's here are not many in numbers yet, but it doesn't seem to change the depth and breadth of the conversations we have and the ...
Death Cafe-Seattle-Eastside Write up
Posted by charbarrett on Nov. 10, 2013, 3:57 p.m.
Our first Eastside Death Cafe was a great success - even more so with the festive feeling of Dia de Los Muertos!
Over thrity people gathered around tables of six or so and shared with one another about their experience of and around death. Everyone wanted to "meet" the rest of the folks in the room (not just those at their table), so we took time for everyone to share a brief introduction. It gave all of us a better feeling of connection as an entire group.
We had many fun sweets to celebrate the Dia de Los Muertos theme, which many enjoyed.
Words used on the evaluations to ...
I attended the initial Oct 25th meeting, but I couldn't make the Nov.2nd because of a conflict with my working hours. I appreciate the value this group can hold, and I'm sorry to have missed the discussions. I look forward to receiving announcements about future meetings.
J.Vitkus
Death Cafe Brisbane, Australia Write up
Posted by Beth OBrien on Nov. 6, 2013, 6:52 p.m.
Last night 10 people joined us for our second death café at Mt Gravatt.
There was again a delightful mix of people, and we had the opportunity to hear some insights from a palliative care nurse, and a hospital chaplain working with the oncology ward. Amongst the group were also team members from Karuna http://www.karuna.org.au/ community and home palliative care who again shared some wonderful insights. We thank them for their openness in sharing, and for all the other people for their honest sharing and wisdom.
Many topics were covered and we shared, laughed and sometimes sighed at the information and the storytelling. We ...
Portobello Death Cafe Write up
Posted by clareslaney on Nov. 6, 2013, 5:02 p.m.
First the manager started bellowing. Then he threatened to lock us in. We decided to leave. So we won’t be going back there again.
It could have been an absolute disaster but Joy, a woman who had come a long way to be thrown out of a café, immediately arranged to go to the pub next door and I was confident that she would set up a cosy space for us.
A pub is not the best place to hold a Death Café. Piped jazz could have easily disrupted the event but the 11 people who adapted so quickly to the situation were interested, thoughtful and – though ...
First Death Cafe in Brisbane, Australia Write up
Posted by Beth OBrien on Nov. 6, 2013, 4:36 p.m.
The evening was facilitated by Beth O’Brien and Neil Davis. We had 5 attendees come and share with us that evening. Beth was interviewed for the local newspaper and on 4BC Radio. The story was also covered in the leading city newspaper the Courier Mail.
It amazed us that in a short time with a small but eager group of attendees that conversation flowed, and flowed fast! Topics included such items as working in the funeral industry; what does a dead person look like; I closed my eyes in the church when I opened them my Mum’s coffin was gone; advanced health directives; euthanasia; confronting your ...
SW London Death Cafe Write up
Posted by Suzanne Michal on Nov. 6, 2013, 7:43 a.m.
We had around 20 people attending this wonderful first Death Cafe in Putney. Discussion ranged from why we are interested in talking about death to what is our religious background as this is such a strong framework to our relationship with death. This was followed by a very lively break where some mingled whilst some carried on involved discussions and connections.
We finished with looking at our fears around death. The last comment of the evening being that it would be great to hold the Death Cafe whilst eating some "Death by chocolate" cake. So, yet again humour was present!
Some feedback was:
completion of this evenings death cafe took us all somewhere we didnt expect. in the pursuit of a better finite life, we realized how many deaths we experience of people we know who are still alive. death does not require the end of a pulse or a respiration. active members of society, can in a way become "dead" to us. geographical and interpersonal distances can contribute to disconnection. members were varied on their response to this on a range from "not bothered at all", to "very bothered". we also reviewed interprtations of various stages of grief and the length of time grief requires. the type of relationship contributes ...
We held our 1st Death Cafe in Teaneck, NJ yesterday. About a dozen folks showed up -- some with mild, but expected, trepidation. I think we had a warm, friendly and beneficial time together. The consensus seemed to be that many entered with a heavy feeling in their hearts (about the topic) and left feeling so much lighter. I think that's what it's all about - and I feel honored to be a part of this great Movement.
Death Cafe Philadelphia and Greater Philadelphia Write up
Posted by Rachel Zeldin on Oct. 30, 2013, 1:45 p.m. 2 comments
The 2ndDeath Café Philadelphia & Greater Philadelphia took place Thursday October 24th with a “wonderful” and “thought-provoking” gathering at COSI Rittenhouse.
Hosted by Simcha Raphael of the DA’AT Institute and Rachel Zeldin of Funerals360, this diverse group of Philadelphians converged to have, as our participants noted, “open”, “authentic,” and “fascinating” conversations centered around personal & professional experiences, fears, wishes, and how to get the most out of the life that we have been given.
This was a very diverse set of Philadelphians. Twenty-five people were in attendance ranging from early 20s to 70s, representing a wide variety of ethnicities & backgrounds. Listening to the various threads of conversation ...
Death Cafe Brisbane Write up
Posted by Death Cafe Brisbane on Oct. 29, 2013, 1:12 p.m.
On a beautiful Brisbane evening twenty two people from varying walks of life gathered to chat about death, from their own perspective.
A group of organisers and facilitators guided, listened, encouraged as guests shared their unique perspective on death. Whether it was a tragic death, the layering of grief, working in palliative care, assisting people with a 'good death'... it didn't matter, the groups loved sharing their wisdom, their stories.
An essential part of the evening was the coffee, the cheese and biccies and of course, the cake. Nothing like helping difficult conversations with food.
Adding to the occasion, a classic vintage American hearse was parked outside ...
Death Cafe at Cafe Rouge in Hampstead, London Write up
Posted by Josefine Speyer on Oct. 25, 2013, 7:31 a.m. 1 comment
This Death Café was again fully booked in advance. Some people cancelled, some on the day whilst I was out and others just were not able to attend. Some emailed on the day and came along without me expecting them, one of them a young journalist from TimeOut magazine. Well, it all worked out fine on the night and we had a great evening together!
Philomena Corrigan (death doula) and Sharon Young (PdD student) and I each facilitated a table of about 6 – 9 people. Having intended to get started by 7pm after a 6.30pm arrival, we finally got settled and sorted by 7.15pm, much later ...
BBC Recording a Death Cafe Write up
Posted by clareslaney on Oct. 23, 2013, 3:35 p.m.
9 or so of us settled down to begin the evening, all of us well over 30 years old some of us in our 80’s, and then a group of 10 young people, no one older than 24 arrived and our cosy circle opened wide!
The discussion was fluid and respectful, moving from personal experiences of bereavement; the comfort of being able to talk with dying parents and the pain of being prevented from speaking about a death that is so obviously happening; to having a sense of how ordinary death is, how integrated it can be into life at the same time as being mysterious.
We ...
Death Cafe Eugene/Springfield Write up
Posted by Death Cafe Eugene/Springfield on Oct. 23, 2013, 10:38 a.m. 3 comments
The Second Death Cafe in the Eugene Springfield area was held last night at a little resale shop on Main Street in Springfield, Oregon. Twenty five participants sat around small tables with candles, table cloths, linen napkins, silverware, and china. Ambient lighting was provided by lamps placed next to tables around the room. The cake counter included a gluten free option and Halloween themed cakes. Although coffee was provided, most people drank decaf or tea.
The first hour of small group conversation was lively. At the end of the evening, during the whole group debrief, participants reported experiencing an unexpectedly open, interesting, and inspiring conversation with others about ...